MANILA -- At least 300 modern electricity-powered jeepneys will be rolled out in June, according to the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
The DOTr made this statement following the announcement of Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in a Palace press briefing Thursday that the initial batch of e-jeepneys will traverse some parts of Metro Manila.
Roque earlier made the announcement noting that this development will be part of the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) Modernization Program of the DOTr.
The PUV Modernization Program, according to the DOTr, aims to ensure a safe, convenient and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation to commuters.
“We are pleased to announce that as part of the Department of Transportations’ Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program, the first batch of modern electronic jeepneys will be rolled out in June,” Roque said.
The routes include Quezon City Hall, along Elliptical Road, Diliman to Manila City Hall, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay to Southwest Intermodal Transport exchange in Parañaque City, Fort Bonifacio Gate 3 in Taguig City to Guadalupe Market in Makati and Bagumbayan in Taguig to Pasig City.
“They will not be rolled out for public use without a valid franchise,” DOTr Public Information Office Director Godess Hope Libiran said in a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) when asked if the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has granted franchises to the modern jeepneys.
The PUVMP will replace jeepney units that are 15 years old with Euro 4 engines or electrically-powered engines with solar panels for roofs.
These modern PUVs will also be equipped with closed-circuit television cameras, a GPS navigation system, an Automatic Fare Collection System, speed limiters, dashboard cameras, and Wi-Fi. (PNA)
